Cruisin’ Weekend Hits the Streets

Hot El Camino Cruise Nite Gets the Weekend Started

Twice a year, Atascadero’s main drag gets shut down for an event — the annual October parade, and Hot El Camino Cruise Nite in mid-August. Now dubbed “Cruisin’ Weekend,” the City of Atascadero-hosted event added Dancing In The Streets to round out the two-day event beginning on Friday, August 17. While the cruise enters its 26th year, the annual Atascadero Lake Car Show enters its 29th on Saturday, Aug. 18., with the third annual Dancing In The Streets inviting the community to get foot-loose and fancy-free in the Downtown Colony District on Saturday night.

Cruise Nite

The controlled cruise gets the weekend started on Friday at 6:30 p.m. along El Camino Real, between Curbaril Avenue and Traffic Way, with closures on adjoining surface streets along the route. Crowds will be seated along ECR and BBQs smoking in parking lots, with prime viewing locations at a premium. You may see chairs set out along the route as early as noon on event day … that’s completely normal. Hot rods, trucks, vans, rat rods, motorcycles, tricked-out Impalas, candy painted Dodge Darts, and turbo-charged Chevys will be just a few of the sights and sounds to be found pacing the course as vehicles of all ages, sizes, and colors converge for an evening of fun. Downtown Atascadero has hardly been as inviting or accommodating as in 2018, with Entrada Avenue boasting two open doors ready to serve beverages — Dark Nectar Coffee Roasters and Dead Oak Brewing. Also rocking the Colony District is Street Side Ale House, Tent City Beer Company, Malibu Brew, Sylvester’s Burgers, Central Coast Café, Grape Encounters Wine Empourium, Que Pasa, Kochi Korean BBQ and Kai Lana Sushi, and of course the all-new Nautical Cowboy holding down the corner of Traffic Way and El Camino inside The Carlton Hotel. Friday night will be popping all around, and parking will be scarce for late-comers. Check our website for available parking lots in the downtown area.

Atascadero Lake Park Car Show

On Saturday, the event moves to the shaded hills of Atascadero Lake Park, where the Mid-State Cruizers will host the annual car show, giving auto fans an up-close look under the hood and inside the cabs. The five-hour show runs from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.

Dancing In The Streets

Back in the Colony District, the evening will bring music, drink, food, and fun to all ages of attendees as Dancing In The Streets drops a block party downtown. The Central Coast Brewers Guild will coordinate 15 beverage vendors serving everything from wine, craft beer, spirits, mocktails, and shaved ice. Atascadero Printery Foundation will serve finger foods and merchandise, and 18 food vendors will be open for business to serve a variety of eats and sweets. Heating up the sound waves, three stages and five bands will crank out tunes to keep the boogie humming. The Entrada Stage will open with the classic rock, country and dance sounds of the Martin Paris Band from 5 to 8 p.m., and The Monroe will jump on stage from 8:30 to 10 p.m. to pump their signature atomic vogue, pop, and Motown blend. The Palma Stage will host funk and dance with Burning James & The Funky Flames from 7 to 10 p.m. The Lewis Stage hosts the power folk duo Bear Market Riot from 5 to 7 p.m. and closes with Ricky Montijo from 8 to 10 p.m. with a blend of rock, soul, latin, and reggae. The music is free, and the food and drink is available for purchase.